Episode 10 // Five Fab Finds to Fortify Your Social Enterprise

Championed by our friends at Community Futures Saskatchewan

We’re here to make some baffling revelations about finding the sweet spot between your two P’s: Purpose and Profit.

In a year where survival alone is a Herculean task, focusing on a purpose may not sit well with your fight-or-flight response, but this one-on-one with our NTN Pro, Gordon Holley, President and CEO of Humanity Financial, will reveal how Founders can nail their numbers and thrive with a purpose-driven business model.

Part 1 // Purpose-Driven Enterprises Forging Their Future

It is abundantly clear that the future belongs to purpose-driven organizations. While the long-term trend was already headed towards enterprises weaving purpose into their business, COVID has essentially accelerated this transition, explains Gordon.

"Businesses with a clear social purpose are as, or more, profitable than businesses without,” suggests research. As more and more businesses are committing to a social purpose, millennials are catching the drift and expecting all businesses to have a larger purpose.

It is abundantly clear that the future belongs to purpose-driven organizations.

Funders and consumers alike are supporting businesses that strive to have a positive impact. If you’re missing the Purpose train, you’re going to see your top-line wither.

This, and a lot more, awaits you in Part 1 as Gordon takes us through an intense ride through the options that Founders have in terms of legally structuring their social-based enterprise.

Part 2 //Remodeling the Operating Expenses

COVID fell from the sky and crash-landed on the center of income statements, right where it hurts—the operating expenses.

Even with a shrinking topline, operating expenses continued to shower their wrath on Founders.

Sure, you may have saved-up on rent. But engaging a remote team comes with additional costs of technological infrastructure. There’s a silver lining, though. As Gordon highlights, funders have stepped up and provided leeway for additional operating expenses by removing some of the restrictions. This provides an interesting opportunity for businesses to remodel their operating cost structure.

Gordon digs deep into these quandaries in Part 2 for a timely discussion on how Founders can approach this remodeling opportunity with a purpose-oriented mindset.

Part 3 // The Tug of War between Purpose and Profit

Purpose is starting to occupy a central spot in the business world, so where does that leave our bottom lines?

Profits (eventually retained earnings) are our umbrellas for a rainy day. Do you recall people on TV using financial jargon as they say that a company has a “strong” balance sheet? Guess what the source of that strength is?

Hint: You'll find it in the bottom line.

Well-capitalized businesses are often the ones that are more immune to a Frankenstein-like COVID. This is easier said than done for non-profits, though. CRA may come knocking at a non-profit’s door the minute they see a profit on their master budget.

“CRA does recognize that all organizations have to have some financial sustainability,” explains Gordon.

CRA is bothered by an “intention to profit” when it comes to non-profits. As long as a non-profit doesn’t proactively seek out profits, the CRA is all fine and dandy.

Unexpected profits are not a problem. A non-profit's only nemesis is the intention to profit. Tune in and learn all you need to know about structuring your social-based enterprise from Gordon Holley in Part 3.

// Download the Playbook, Worksheets and Workbooks from The Vault

About the Pro // Gordon Holley, CPA, CA, FCPB

Co-founder, President and CEO

Humanity Financial Management Inc.

Gordon Holley works to build confidence and capacity through leadership and training across Canada’s charity and social purpose sectors.

As a CPA of 25 years standing and CEO of Humanity, Gordon loves helping leaders of community and social purpose organizations.

Gordon’s passion is leveraging his decades of experience with board members and executive team to build human, organizational and sectoral capacity through workshops and resources.

Gordon has served on boards and committees, from small community organizations to national sector bodies.

About the Champ // Community Futures Saskatchewan

25 years of loans, advice and support for Saskatchewan Founders

Community Futures Saskatchewan has been in the business of encouraging and supporting their communities, volunteers and small business owners for more than 25 years. They know what it takes to start and grow a business, to raise money for a community project or organize to provide a much-needed community service.

Connect //

GAB LAB CHAMP // Community Futures Saskatchewan www.cfsask.ca

GAB LAB HOST // Taunya Woods Richardson taunya@nailthenumbers.com // 1.844.844.3660

NTN PRO // Gordon Holley www.humanityfinanical.ca // gh@humanityfinancial.ca

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